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THEODORE HIMES, OF NEW-ALBANY, INDIANA Letters .Patent No. 79,350, datedJune 30, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRESS-PROTECTORS.

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TO ALL WHOM. IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, THEoDoItE I-IIMES, of New Albany, in the county ofFloyd, and State of'Indiana, have invented a certain new and improvedDress-Protector for ladies; and I'do hereby declare that the followingis a. full and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, making part of this specification. 1

Figure 1 is a view ofthe protector, as applied to the person.

Figure2, a sectional perspective view of the same, detached.

Figure 3, a view ofthe overskirt.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

` My invention consists ofa water-proof covering cr dress for ladies, inwhich the lower portion of the ordinary dress and skirts may be enclosedand fully protected from becoming soiled by mud or wet during stormyweather, as hereinafter set forth.

As represented in the drawings, the protector of an outer covering, A,of the size andforrn of the lower portion of a ladys crinoline, unitedat the bottom to an inner concentric lining, B, so as to leave betweenthe two an annular space, C, in which the lower portions of the dress,crinoline, and skirts are enclosed. The upper edges ofthe concentricportion, B, terminate in outside drawers, D D, which connect at thebottom with leg-gings E E, as clearly shown. The parts may be made ofoil or rubber cloth, or .other water-proof material, and are keptdistended in proper shape by wires n n 1t n, as represented.

To the upper edges of the parts A and B are respectively attached twoseries of straps, d d and e e, the former, d, being secured to a belt,f,encircling the waist on the outside ofthe dress, and .the latter, e,fastened to a belt, g, that clasps around the waist under the dress, andnext to the corset. The length of these straps, as well as the depth ofthe annular space C, may be varied, and the former regulated by bucklesor equivalent appliances, so as to elevate the bottom of the protector,to a greater' or less height, as the taste or convenience of the wearermay require. The inner straps e c are provided with hooks z' z', orequivalent, by which they can be readily disconnected in removingthcprotector, while the belt may remain around the waist. If preferred,the belt g maybe dispensed with, and the straps e connect with rings, orloops attached to the corset itself'. An outer skirt, I, also made ofwater-proof fabric, and of suitable length to envelope the protectorA B,is employed, which not only protects the upper portion ot' the skirt,but, by concealing thc bottom of the protector, causes the whole topresent a common and unobjectionable appearance.

'lhcoperation and manner of applying my improvement are obvious.

The drawers D being drawn on, the inner straps e are attached under theskirts to the waist, when the skirts are arranged in the annular spaceC, and the bcltf to which the outer straps are secured fastened aroundthe waist over the dress.

The skirt I, being then put on over the whole, the protection iscomplete. The protector is removed with the greatest facility by simplydisconnecting the straps e, and unclasping the outer belt. v

As the dress when arranged in the protector is designed to be raised buta short distance from the ground, say from six to ten inches, more orless, it is left comparatively loose, so as not to bc crumpled ordisordered by folds or wrinkles. This mode of protection is of greatimportance during stormy weather, and especially on those occasions(which are very frequent) when it is desirabloio retain the ordinarydress, and still have it suitably protected.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by/ Letters Patent,is-

The dress-protector, consisting of the drawers I), leggings E, doublecovering, A'B, attached to the drawers, and skirt I, all hcld up andsuspended by straps from waistbands fg, substantially as and for thepurposes eet forth.

In witness whereof', I have hereunto signed my naine in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

. TIIEODORE IIIMES. Witnesses:

' N. 1I.v Conn,

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